What term describes substances such as depressants, narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, and inhalants?

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Substances that alter mental processes, mood, or behavior are described as psychoactive drugs. These include depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, narcotics, and inhalants because each type changes how the brain functions, affecting perception, alertness, mood, or consciousness. The defining feature is their impact on the central nervous system, not whether they’re prescribed or legal. That’s why psychoactive drugs is the best description for all of these categories. The other options are narrower or do not fit: prescription medications are not necessarily psychoactive, non-psychoactive substances imply no mental effects, and nutritional supplements are not typically considered psychoactive.